Vinovest

Vinovest operates a platform that facilitates investment in fine wine and whiskey, aiming to make these alternative assets more accessible to a broader range of investors. Founded in 2019 by Anthony Zhang and Brent Akamine, the company is headquartered in Culver City, California. The concept for Vinovest emerged from Zhang's personal interest in wine investing and the realization that the market had significant barriers to entry, particularly for younger investors. His background includes founding two other tech companies, EnvoyNow and Know Your VC, before their respective acquisitions. Co-founder Brent Akamine has a design background, notably contributing to the mobile app Flipagram, which was later acquired by TikTok. The two connected over a shared interest in wine while working at the crypto portfolio app, Blockfolio.

The company's business model is centered on simplifying the process of investing in 'liquid' assets. Vinovest uses a combination of AI-powered algorithms and expertise from master sommeliers to curate and manage investment portfolios tailored to individual goals and risk tolerance. The firm handles the entire lifecycle of the investment, including sourcing, authentication, acquisition, storage in climate-controlled bonded warehouses worldwide, insurance, and eventual sale. This removes common hurdles for investors, such as needing a personal wine cellar or deep industry connections. Revenue is primarily generated through annual management fees, which range from 1.9% to 2.85% depending on the portfolio size and plan tier. These fees cover the costs of insurance, storage, authentication, and portfolio management. For self-directed trades on its marketplace, the company may charge a trading fee.

Vinovest offers several tiers of service, from a starter plan with a low minimum investment to premium levels that provide access to a dedicated portfolio advisor, customized portfolios, and exclusive wine and whiskey releases, including wine futures. Clients own the assets in their portfolios outright and can choose to sell their holdings at any time or even have the bottles shipped to their homes. In 2022, the company expanded its offerings by launching Whiskeyvest, which allows for investment in entire casks of American and Scotch whiskies. The platform provides investors access to a global network of buyers and sellers, which enhances the liquidity of these traditionally illiquid assets. Investors can monitor their portfolios through a user-friendly online interface and mobile apps.

Keywords: wine investing, whiskey investment, alternative assets, fine wine, rare whiskey, investment platform, portfolio diversification, asset management, liquid assets, Anthony Zhang, Brent Akamine, Whiskeyvest, en primeur, wine futures, cask investment, alternative investments, wealth management, financial technology, collectible assets, tangible assets